During the year 2025–26, the BCAS Foundation continued its commitment to social development by undertaking and supporting a wide range of initiatives in the areas of education, environment, healthcare, skill development, women empowerment, and community welfare. Through strategic partnerships and direct interventions, the Foundation strengthened its efforts to create sustainable impact in underserved communities.
Education had always remained one of the key focus areas of the Foundation. The Foundation extended substantial assistance to institutions serving tribal and rural communities, with a focus on infrastructure development and improving learning conditions.
A major initiative undertaken during the year was the support extended to the V.K. Lakhani School.
The Foundation sanctioned financial assistance of ` 6 lakhs for essential repairs to the school infrastructure, specifically, roof restoration and refurbishment of the science laboratory. The work was completed successfully during the year, and the school submitted the required documentation evidencing proper utilisation of the funds. Trustees visited the school personally to inspect the completed work and appreciated the positive outcomes achieved through the project.
The interaction with the school also led to discussions on future development possibilities. During the visit, it was observed that the school required extensive structural repairs estimated at approximately ` 20 lakhs. Discussions were initiated to mobilise additional resources through member contributions and fundraising efforts. A proposal to establish a vocational skills development centre on the school campus was also discussed, recognising the employment opportunities expected to arise in the surrounding region due to the upcoming Vadhvan Port development. This initiative is expected to become a significant long-term project for the Foundation.
The Foundation also continued its association with the digital classroom initiative. This year, on 2nd August, 2025, the Foundation donated 5 digital classrooms to the V. K. Lakhani High School, Bordi. President Zubin F. Billimoria along with other trustees of the Foundation and a group of 25 volunteers visited Bordi school during the inauguration function. Trustees and volunteers visited the tribal schools in Talasari, Bordi and Umargam areas to review the implementation of digital classrooms introduced earlier with the Foundation’s support. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of technology-enabled learning in rural educational settings and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to educational advancement in tribal areas.
Further, the Foundation extended support to Kumbharwadi Madhyamik School at Kolhapur by donating ₹2.5 lakhs towards the procurement of desks and benches for students. This assistance was aimed at improving the basic classroom environment and creating better learning conditions for students from economically weaker sections.
This year, the Foundation also undertook the tree plantation programme in collaboration with Keshav Shrushti Foundation. The Tree Plantation Drive 2025 was conducted at Vada, Palghar. The initiative focused on increasing green cover and contributing to ecological conservation in the region.
A donation of ₹6.25 lakhs was collected to support the plantation programme. This initiative reflected the Foundation’s belief that environmental sustainability is an essential pillar of community development. The programme also facilitated active participation by members and strengthened collaboration with institutions dedicated to ecological preservation.
The Foundation remained actively engaged in programmes aimed at enhancing employability and livelihood opportunities, particularly for women and underprivileged communities.
Its long-standing collaboration with the Rangoonwala Foundation (India) Trust continued during the year. The Foundation approved financial support of ₹5 lakhs for the Trust’s educational and skill-building activities. These initiatives included vocational training programmes aimed at equipping women and youth with practical skills for sustainable employment.
A report received from the Rangoonwala Centre highlighted the launch of a new community skills development programme. The same was formally taken on record by the Trustees as part of the Foundation’s ongoing developmental work. The programme aligns closely with BCAS Foundation’s objective of empowering communities through skill enhancement and self-reliance.
Further, representatives of the Foundation attended the Women’s Day celebrations organised by Rangoonwala Foundation. During the event, women who had successfully completed beautician training courses were felicitated. Several of these beneficiaries had received sponsorship support under the BCAS Foundation’s skill development programme. This initiative showcased the direct impact of the Foundation’s support in creating employment opportunities and encouraging economic independence among women.
The Foundation also supported women’s empowerment initiatives under the CA-Thon programme. As part of this initiative, five sewing machines were donated to beneficiaries to enable income generation through tailoring and related vocational activities. The total expenditure for this programme was ₹92,500. This project was recognised as a meaningful contribution to empowering women through self-employment.
The Foundation, jointly with the Seminar, Membership & Public Relations Committee of BCAS, organised the annual Blood Donation Drive in association with Tata Memorial Hospital. The event received enthusiastic participation from members, office bearers, past presidents, and staff. A total of 54 eligible donors contributed blood during the drive.
The programme also included a Platelet Donation Awareness Campaign, which helped educate participants about platelet donation and assess their eligibility for future participation. NSS volunteers from H.R. College of Commerce & Economics and Dharma Bharathi Mission played an active role in raising awareness and securing donor support. Donors were felicitated with “Life Saver” medals in recognition of their contribution to this noble cause.
In addition, the Foundation has decided to donate ₹3 lakhs to Dignity Foundation to support its welfare programmes focused on senior citizens and community well-being. This continued the Foundation’s broader engagement with healthcare and social support institutions.
The Foundation made significant progress in operationalising the Shri P. N. Shah Memorial Endowment Fund, an important initiative established to provide financial assistance to deserving students pursuing the CA curriculum.
During the year, the Trustees deliberated on the fund’s utilisation framework and constituted a dedicated committee comprising trustees and office bearers to identify appropriate beneficiaries and recommend support mechanisms. As part of due diligence, it was decided that applicants seeking assistance should provide recommendation letters, preferably from BCAS members, to ensure transparency and effective utilisation.
The first instalment of scholarship support under the Endowment Fund was disbursed during the year, with selected beneficiaries receiving `37,500 each. This marked the formal commencement of the scholarship programme under the fund.
A significant development during the year was the receipt of a generous contribution of `21 lakhs from CA Anil Kumar Desai to the Shri P. N. Shah Memorial Endowment Fund.
The year 2025–26 was marked by purposeful growth in the Foundation’s outreach and impact. Through support to schools, environmental initiatives, healthcare programmes, women empowerment activities, and scholarship assistance, the BCAS Foundation continued to translate its vision of social responsibility into meaningful action.
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY CELEBRATIONS
On June 21, 2026, the BCAS Foundation organized “International Yoga Day Celebrations” Jointly with the Human Resource Committee of the BCAS and MaBap Foundation at Shree Goghari Lohana Bhuvan, Paliram Road, Andheri West, Mumbai 400058. In Andheri East, Mumbai, the event was co-organized with MaBap.
Mr. Pradeep Thakkar, the accredited Yoga Trainer, conducted the session.
The takeaways from the workshop are briefly given below:
- Participants were guided to do various exercises and were explained the benefits of doing the exercises.
- The exercises dealt with Asanas and tips for Osteoarthritis, Knee Pain, Blood Pressure, Diabetes and a lot more.
- Also, breathing exercises, along with their benefits, were explained to the participants.
- The benefits of yoga for Flexibility, Strength and overall health were explained in detail.
Dr CA Mayur Nayak, a Certified Yoga Teacher, assisted in the conduct of the Yoga Session and ensured the smooth conduct of the yoga. BCAS Foundation was also awarded with the Certificate of Recognition from the Ministry of Ayush.
We take this opportunity to thank all our donors, volunteers, sister NGOs, office bearers of schools, Office Bearers and the Staff of BCAS, participants of all conferences/seminars at BCAS, for their continued support and encouragement to carry out some noble work to make a positive difference to the world. We also thank all beneficiaries and students/children for giving BCAS Foundation the opportunity to serve them.
We welcome suggestions and volunteering. Kindly send volunteering requests to
bcasfoundation@bcasonline.org
Best Regards,
For BCAS Foundation
Trustees
